David McClintock, Jefferson Parish inspector general candidate, took a holistic approach to his job interview Wednesday. Baltimore's inspector general told the Ethics and Compliance Commission he brought his whole family to town eight days ago and spent the interlude with them exploring Jefferson Parish and talking to people here.

McClintock, the third of three finalists for the job, said he came to appreciate the place his family might call home, as well as the independence of the position he might fill. Jefferson has given the job a dedicated budget, all but guaranteed the inspector a five-year, renewable term and set up the person to report to the semi-autonomous commission.

McClintock's current job, by contrast, was created not by law but by the mayor, who can eliminate the position or fire him at any time. For a budget, he is beholden every year to the City Council.

He said officials have occasionally pulled him aside in elevators to express their displeasure with his targets. But none has threatened his job, and, in fact, he's managed to secure a larger budget every year, he said.

The commission seems unlikely to vote on hiring Jefferson's first inspector general until Jan. 30.

Rafael Goyeneche, the Metropolitan Crime Commission president, sat through the public sessions. "They're all impressive and qualified candidates," he said afterward. "All the candidates have their strengths.

"What this commission has to do is identify whose strengths match up with the needs of a start-up inspector general's office in a municipal government."